Necklaces are one of the most common types of jewelry, and it’s easy to see why. The right necklace can spruce up any outfit and pull it all together for a complete look.
However, purchasing new pieces of jewelry can add up quickly. Making your own jewelry is not only a way to save money, but also a way to collect pieces with a lot of personality that will hold a special meaning to you. Here are 16 of our favorite DIY necklace tutorials.
Ombre Tassel Necklace
Tassels have become popular home decor over the past few years, but we say that there are more options for tassels than hanging them on the wall! This adorable necklace tutorial from Oh the Lovely Things shows you how tassels can also make a wonderful necklace decoration. You can modify the colors of the tassels as well as the length of the necklace to make them look like your ideal creation.
Bird Nest Necklace
You may have seen examples of bird nest necklaces around, even if you cannot picture them off the top of your head. However, once you do see one, you will no longer have any questions why it’s called a bird nest necklace. The pendants on these necklaces are made from thin wires that are connected together to look like a bird’s nest. They are filled with miniature jewels that act as the “egg”. If you would like to make this unique necklace type, here is a tutorial from Busy Crafting Memories.
Caged Pearl
Speaking of necklaces that are inspired by nature, this caged pearl necklace from Yes Missy is truly one of a kind (and we mean that literally, since it will be one of a kind when you make it!) Although the intricate design of this necklace makes it look like it would be a lot harder to make than it actually is, as long as you have the right tools you can make your own caged pearl necklace at home.
Delicate Beaded DIY Necklace
This DIY necklace is so beautiful and so intricate! In fact, it is delicate to the point where it appears as if it would be a lot harder to make than it would be. However, anyone who is interested in making this beaded necklace will be happy to see that it is not very difficult to make, provided that you have the right materials. Find out how here.
DIY Geode Necklace
This one is for all of those gem lovers out there! There are so many different ways to incorporate gemstones into our jewelry, but we love the way that this tutorial from Creative Fashion Blog makes use of not one but two different kinds of gemstones! If you have always wondered what to use those pretty gemstones that you can get at souvenir stores, here is finally a use for them!
Clay Bead Necklace
This clay bead necklace tutorial from Craftboard is so well put-together that it will be put together in less than an hour! Even though clay beads may not be everybody’s style, this retro-styled fashion statement is coming more and more into vogue with every year that passes.
DIY Long Beaded Necklace
Some people like short necklaces, and some people like long necklaces — it’s really a matter of personal preference, as there isn’t one necklace that is any better than any other. This long beaded necklace tutorial from Running With Sisters is made from shiny beautiful beads, and it pairs well with dresses and sweaters.
Neon Necklace
Can you think of anything more unique than a neon necklace? It may sound strange on paper, but trust us on this one —a neon necklace is the beautiful and unique wardrobe addition that you didn’t realize that you needed. Get the how-to over at Collective Gen, which shows you how to take an existing necklace and transform it using spray paint. This is a great craft option for anyone who doesn’t want to start their necklace project from scratch.
Ombre Bead Necklace
There are just so many different types of things that can be done with beads! Although it may take some planning in advance, this ombre bead necklace idea from Howe We Live can be easily mimicked, and it’s a great thing that it can be! It’s so beautiful that it is sure to become a wardrobe staple. While this example shows the use of blue beads, you can use any color that you would like to create an ombre necklace.
Seed Bead Necklace
Seed beads are tiny beads that can have the appearance of a small seed (hence their name). While they can be rather tedious to work with, they can be combined together to make very attractive jewelry pieces. This makes the act of crafting with them very rewarding, even if it is quite time-consuming! This tutorial from Alice and Lois shows how you can make a trendy seed bead necklace that will quickly become a favorite piece.
DIY Circle Choker Necklace
Remember chokers? Although this type of necklace had its full heyday in the 1990s, it has become more popular on and off over the last couple of years. Choker necklaces are actually quite easy to make, as demonstrated by this tutorial at Made Up Style. This is especially true if you follow the minimalist style of this particular tutorial that involves the use of suede cord and a simple silver ring.
Acorn Marble Necklace
These “acorn” necklaces are so different from anything else we have ever seen before! We love the creative idea of using a marble to look like an acorn by connecting it with a minimal charm. You can follow these easy instructions from Rhythms of Play. Even if this necklace isn’t necessarily your style, you could still put one together and give it away as a gift.
Crochet Bib Necklace
While many necklaces are long and skinny, there are other kinds of necklaces that are a bit more unconventional. We would have never thought of the idea for this crochet bib necklace from In Honor of Design ourselves, but now that we have it on our radar we can’t wait to try it out! This is not the kind of necklace that you can throw on as a last-minute addition to any outfit — it’s the kind that you build an outfit around.
Fabric Button Pendant
We haven’t covered enough pendant necklaces yet on this list, and we think it’s time that we give this very important necklace type some attention! This particular pendant necklace from Lilly D’s Craft Supplies is kind of a craft within a craft, since you will first have to make the fabric pendant before making the necklace itself.
Fingerprint Necklace
When we think about the qualities of a great necklace, there are a few different characteristics that come to mind —style, size, and meaning. Like most other types of jewelry, necklaces can hold a great degree of sentimental value which can make them quite special to their owner. What could be more sentimental than your fingerprints, or the fingerprints of your loved ones? Learn how you can make your own fingerprint necklace out of clay over at It’s Always Autumn.
Wooden Copper Necklace
We are all about necklaces that use unconventional materials, and this copper and wooden necklace from See Kate Sew contains not one, but two unconventional materials. You will only need a small collection of materials, including a variety of small wooden shapes and hemp or suede cord.
DIY Rhinestone Necklace
Even though this necklace from All Free Jewelry Making looks like it was made by a professional with several years of experience, you can also pull it off as a novice jewelry maker! All it takes is the right materials (and the right attitude!) The use of crystal beads makes this necklace shimmer and shine, which in turn makes it a wonderful option for a birthday gift for a loved one.
If you are somebody who already enjoys keeping a jewelry collection, you will be delighted to discover the joy of wearing jewelry pieces that you made yourself. We hope that you are able to find something within this mix of tutorials that suits your unique personality —happy crafting!